Way Nifty worth a look in Rio Grande Senor Futurity
Way Nifty remains a maiden after two starts and is listed at 12-1 on the track’s morning line. But it would be unwise to toss him from consideration in the $194,672 Rio Grande Senor Futurity for New Mexico-bred colts and geldings Sunday at Ruidoso Downs.
Trainer Todd Fincher has won the last four runnings of the 5 1/2-furlong stakes, so Way Nifty must remain in the mix of contenders in the richest of six stakes for Thoroughbreds on Sunday’s program.
Way Nifty was beaten just three-quarters of a length last time out by Storm Warrior, the 5-2 second choice in a field of 10 on Sunday. Only four other horses have posted a Beyer Speed Figure higher than Way Nifty’s 58.
The obvious favorites are Diabolical King, who is a neck shy of being 3 for 3, and Storm Warrior, perfect in two starts and a half-brother to Spartan Warrior, who was second in this stakes in 2010.
In the other Thoroughbred stakes, all restricted to statebreds and carrying purses of $50,000:
◗ The 6-year-old That’s Who, the winner of this same stakes in 2013 and second as the even-money favorite last year, looks formidable as he takes his third crack at the Land of Enchantment at 7 1/2 furlongs.
◗ Gator Heat and Atillas Gift, separated by a neck three weeks ago, will vie for favoritism in the 5 1/2-furlong Road Runner for 3-year-olds.
◗ The 3-year-old filly Diabolical Dame, who successfully challenged older horses last time out, goes for her fourth straight win and third stakes victory of the season in the six-furlong Lincoln Handicap for fillies and mares.
◗ Twixy Roll, whose four-race unbeaten streak ended when she finished second in her season debut last month, and Tea Light, never worse than second in six lifetime starts, clash in the 5 1/2-furlong Sierra Starlet for 3-year-old fillies.
◗ Beau Wizer, the beaten favorite in the University of New Mexico Handicap, cuts back from seven furlongs to 5 1/2 furlongs for the Sierra Blanca.
RIO GRANDE SENOR FUTURITY (RACE 8)
KEY CONTENDERS
Diabolical King (Last 3 Beyers: 69-73-48)
◗ After losing his career debut by a neck, he has gone 2 for 2, including an easy win in last month’s Mountain Top Futurity.
Storm Warrior (Beyers: 60-34)
◗ His half-brother, Spartan Warrior, was second in this race in 2010 for trainer Ross Amestoy, who won the companion stakes for 2-year-old fillies in 2011.
Stormin the Jewels (Beyer: 69)
◗ He missed by a head to Diabolical King in his career debut. He is one of three horses in the field for trainer Fred Danley.
Way Nifty (Beyers: 58-42)
◗ He is a live longshot despite his 0-for-2 record. He was much improved in his second outing when narrowly beaten by Storm Warrior.